“I promise not to tell.” I could see in her eyes and the firm set of her mouth that she meant it. “But a kiss is never just a kiss, Anna, especially from the likes of him. Kope would scoop you right up, if you’d let him.”
I sloshed the cooling coffee around the cup. “I know, Marna, but I can’t. He’s awesome, he really is, but I just . . . can’t.”
She nodded, as if she understood the myriad jumble of reasons why I couldn’t. There was no judgment on her face, and for that I was grateful.
“Tell me,” she said, leaning forward, “because I’m simply expiring of curiosity over here.” Oh no. “Was it brilliant? Was he reserved and gentle, or did he unleash his inner beast?”
I buried my face in my hands as the heat rose upward. Marna clapped her hands and tapped her feet on the rail, laughing lightly. “I knew it! It was good and beastly! I’d always wondered, although I don’t fancy him in that way. Just imagine all that pent-up testosterone—”
“Agh, enough!” I cut her off, and she threw back her head in amusement. Even I had to laugh now. When our bout of giggling ended we watched each other, just two girls in a cozy coffee shop.
“Kai came to see me on Valentine’s Day,” I said.
Her large gray eyes twinkled. “I know.”
“He told you?”
She nodded and set down her cup, crossing her legs and placing her hands in her lap. I waited because it looked like she was trying to figure out what to say.
“Remember what we told you last time you were here?”
“About him not . . .” I mouthed the word working and she nodded.
“Well,” she continued. “It’s for certain. He told me himself. He’ll do a halfhearted job if he’s called to his father, but otherwise, nothing.”
Oh, my gosh. I was beyond scared for him. I felt nauseous.
“Why did he stop?” I whispered.
She licked her lips and sighed.
“Please tell me,” I begged.
Her eyes drifted up to mine. “I don’t want to get your hopes up.”
My hopes immediately went up like a hot air balloon in my chest. “Tell me.”
“Fine.” She leaned forward and so did I. “Lately he’s been asking a lot about you and Kope. He totes believes the two of you are meant to be or something.”
My cheeks heated with guilt and embarrassment, and she bit her lip, probably thinking about the kiss, just as I was.
“Of course I tell him you’re only friends. But I think he feels like he needs to be like Kope—to prove he can be strong enough and . . . worthy enough. For you.”
I closed my eyes, the late-night cappuccino churning my stomach.
“He doesn’t need to prove anything to me.”
“Maybe not to you. But to himself.”
I remembered the look on his face when he’d come to me last month. He’d been void of that cocky bravado, and showing a deeper kind of confidence in himself—a willing openness I’d never seen before, and it had drawn me to him.
A chime sounded from Marna’s purse and she lifted out her cell phone with slender fingers. She read the text and rolled her eyes. “Argh, I’d better go before Ginger comes looking for me and murders us both.”
We stood and embraced.
“I miss you,” I whispered, and I felt her nod. Then she kissed my cheek.
“Take care, you.” She flipped the chestnut locks off her shoulder and swished out of the shop, taking my secret with her.
When I got back home Saturday night I didn’t know up from down. My internal clock was so battered that I felt confused. Patti forced me to eat and drink something. She then sat on the edge of my bed, running her fingers through my hair.
“I didn’t see a single spirit the whole time I was away,” I mumbled as the grogginess took over.
“Thank the Lord,” she whispered.
I heard her sniffle and saw her hands wiping her face, and before I passed out I wondered how much more of this life she could possibly take.
Summer
End of Senior Year
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
GRADUATION VISITORS
Sweat beaded under my royal blue cap and gown. It was hot for an outdoor graduation, but everyone was too energized to complain. As the band played “Pomp and Circumstance,” it was difficult not to be swept away by the rushes of joy, sadness, eagerness, and hope from hearts in every direction. If only everyone could see what I saw. Colors swirling, dancing, blending. Iridescent mists of attentive guardian angels above them. Not a demon in sight. Abundant joy.
Like at every big event in my life, I couldn’t help but think of Kaidan. He’d moved to L.A. halfway through his senior year, and I didn’t even know if he’d graduated. My mood dampened until I spotted Patti in the stands. She shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand. When I waved, she broke into a smile and sent me a fast-moving wave in return. I half expected to see Dad at her side, but he hadn’t shown. The happy-happy, joy-joy thing was not his scene.
After diplomas had been passed out and closing remarks were being made, I spied two brown-haired beauties at the end of the field. My heart jumped in recognition as I stretched my sight to them.
What on earth were Marna and Ginger wearing? I’d never seen them in matching outfits. Closer inspection revealed knee-length navy blue dresses with thin belts and red . . . neckerchiefs? Then I noticed the tiny airplane emblems on the breast pockets. Flight attendants! I broke into a smile and waved, sending my hearing to them as well.
“Everything all right?” I asked them under my breath.
“Everything is dandy,” Marna said. “Do you like our getups?” She held out her arms and spun around. I gave her a thumbs-up.
We’d been seated in alphabetical order, so I leaned forward to look at Jay several rows ahead of me. I wondered if he’d seen the twins, but they were too far away for him.
When our graduating class was announced, we flung our caps skyward. I bypassed celebratory students, stopping for quick hugs along the way, and found Patti as quickly as I could. At the bottom of the stadium stairs, we moved aside to let the traffic pass, and we embraced, rocking back and forth. Patti’s eyes were red and watery when we pulled apart.
“The twins are here,” I whispered before she could get too sappy.
Her eyes grew. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t think so. It looks like they got jobs with an airline.”
“Well, I’m excited to finally meet them after hearing about them all this time.”
We found them again in the parking lot, which was gridlocked with graduates and loved ones milling about, conversing and taking pictures.
When I introduced them to Patti, she took them both by surprise by giving them big, motherly hugs that they returned with awkward pats and unsure expressions.
“I know you told me they were gorgeous, Anna, but my goodness!” She pulled back. “It’s so good to finally meet you. Can you girls come to our place? I’m making a cake and we’re barbecuing chicken out in the common area.”
“Er—” Ginger gave Marna a sidelong glance.
“We’d love to come!” Marna said, clapping her hands. Ginger pursed her lips.
“Wonderful!” Patti beamed. She took her camera from her purse and handed it to Marna. “Would you mind taking a picture of us?”
I grabbed Patti and we pressed our cheeks together for the picture.
“Now one of you girls.” Patti took the camera and motioned us together.
I stood between the twins, and as if rehearsed they both wrapped an arm around my waist, propped their other hands on their hips, and bent a knee inward. I was stuck between two pros. They could probably conjure a wind to blow their hair if they wanted. Patti got a little carried away, zooming and angling, and after six or seven shots I laughed and told her, “Enough.”
A loud burst of laughter came from a nearby group, and I wasn’t surprised to see it was Jay’s family. I cupped my hands around my mouth and hollered at
Jay, giving him a wave. He didn’t even notice the twins at first as he came jogging over, a goofy grin on his face. His robe dangled open and his old ball cap sat askew on his head.
“Ms. Whitt!” Jay grabbed Patti in a hug before turning and lifting me off the ground. I screamed and heard clicking from Patti catching the moment on film.
“We’re all growed-up now.” Jay set me down and pretended to wipe his eyes. I could tell the moment he finally noticed the twins because the silliness disappeared and he snagged the hat off his head.
“Oh, hey,” he said.
The next moment was like a scene from a movie where two people locked eyes and music played while everyone else disappeared into background noise. Jay and Marna didn’t move or speak. They just stared. His aura blew up like a puffy cloud of jubilant yellows and oranges, outlined in a swirl of red. Even Patti seemed to take note of the thick air between them. Ginger crossed her arms.
And then, like a record scratching abruptly, Veronica arrived and slid an arm around Jay’s waist, glaring death rays at the twins. Jay’s aura popped like a thin bubble into a puff of light gray guilt and confusion, while Veronica sported a band of green thick enough to drown out the blue of her graduation robe. She tipped her head up to Jay and forced a smile. I held my breath.
“Congratulations, baby,” she said. They used to call each other “baby” all the time, but it’d been a few months since I’d heard either of them say it. Jay cleared his throat.
“You, too,” he said.
Veronica stretched onto her tiptoes and kissed his mouth. He gave her a quick peck and gently pulled away.
Marna’s sweet smile never wavered, but her eyes now lacked their luster. Veronica sent me an accusatory look, as if I’d betrayed her. Oy. I raised my eyebrows and shrugged to show I hadn’t known they would be here. Truly, I would have avoided this discomfort at any cost.
“The cars are finally moving,” I told Patti. “Should we head out?”
She glanced back and forth between my friends, a worried streak entering her aura at the sense that something was amiss. I’d never told her about the Veronica/Jay/Marna issue.
“Um, yes. Just let me get a picture of you with Jay and Roni, then we’ll go.”
I was relieved when Jay and Veronica left to join their families again, and we all got in our cars. The twins followed us to the apartment.
I took the stairs two at a time, excited to have company today. When I opened the door I gasped and stood there in shock a moment before saying, “Patti, it’s awesome!”
She had decorated with my school colors. Royal blue and gold streamers crisscrossed the ceiling, and balloons were everywhere. I heard her and the twins come up behind me, Patti giggling and Marna oohing. I was about to hug Patti, when a movement on the other side of the room caught my eye through the dangling balloon ribbons. I cursed my stupid body whose first reaction was to scream.
Midshriek, I realized it was my dad, but my startled system couldn’t stop its initial reaction. A chain reaction started as Patti, then both the twins screamed, too.
Dad parted the balloons and slunk forward, chuckling. We all shut up and caught our breaths.
“Do you give all your guests such a warm welcome?”
Patti’s hand was on her heart. “Geez, John! A little warning next time?”
“I bet you’re wishing you’d never given me that key,” Dad said to Patti with his most charming, frightening grin. He stared at her long enough to make her face redden and her aura sputter.
She rolled her eyes and went past him to the kitchen. “We’re about to grill,” she said without looking up from the food prep. “You’re welcome to stay.” Her aura was a strange blend of yellow and light gray annoyance.
“Can’t stay long. Just wanted to see my little girl on her graduation day.” Dad nodded a greeting at the twins and they slunk back against the two barstools at the counter.
My heart rate was still rapid when he came forward and embraced me.
“Thanks for coming,” I whispered into his black T-shirt. I breathed in his clean, zesty scent and didn’t want to let him go.
“I came to give you a gift.”
I looked up at him with expectancy.
“But not yet,” he said.
I made a face.
Patti came toward the door with a platter of chicken in her hands, a bottle of BBQ sauce and grilling utensils under her arm, and a pack of matches between her teeth.
Dad and I both moved to take something from her at the same time. He held up a hand toward me and said, “I got it.” He took the platter and she removed the matches from her mouth.
“I can do it,” she insisted.
He grinned as I opened the door for them. “Yeah,” he said over his shoulder. “I know you can.” And together they left for the commons area to be domesticated. Weird.
The twins and I stood there in silence. They were like mannequins.
“You know you guys don’t have to be afr—” Ginger smacked a hand over my mouth and glared at me. I shut up and moved away, walking to the couch through the balloons. The twins followed me and sat down.
“We’re just not used to it,” Marna whispered.
“I know, but he’s on our side. We can talk,” I assured them. “So, what’s up with you two? You’re really flight attendants?”
Marna’s eyes danced. “I prefer sky muffins.” She giggled. “Astaroth wouldn’t allow us to—”
Ginger elbowed her and they shared a frightened glance.
“It’s okay,” I said. “Really. You can say whatever you want. We’re safe.”
Ginger crossed her arms and legs. Marna swallowed hard and nodded at me with her gray doe eyes. “Okay,” she began. “Er, well, he wouldn’t allow us to move to the United States or apply to classes at uni, so we came up with this idea and he bought it.”
“But only after he suggested we become a stripping duet,” Ginger grumbled.
“At a high end club, of course,” Marna added with a wink. “Anyhow, when we promised to make married men join the mile-high club, he was sold.”
“But only on a trial run,” Ginger specified.
I had no idea what the mile-high club was, and I wasn’t about to ask.
Marna charged ahead. “Yes. We’re basically in a probation period to see how it goes. Astaroth pulled strings with the airline so we’ll always fly together. We’re on an eight-hour layover right now, so we’ve got to head back to Atlanta in a bit.”
Seeing Marna there on my couch and knowing they’d secured a tiny piece of temporary freedom caused a surge of happiness to rise up in me.
“I’m excited for you guys,” I said. “Promise me you’ll call anytime you’re in this area, okay?”
Marna promised and we sat there chatting until Patti and Dad came back up with the empty platter.
“Chicken’s on the grill!” Patti announced from the sink.
I smiled until Dad cleared his throat and said, “I’ve gotta get going.”
“But you just got here!” I said.
“You’re not staying to eat?” Patti asked.
He shook his head. “Sorry, girls. No time. I just came to visit for a minute and give Anna her present.”
I stood and faced Dad, while he scratched his goatee.
“You ready for it?” he asked.
I nodded, nervous. “What is it?”
“Your next assignment.”
My heart jumped and I held my breath.
“You’ve told the girls everything, right?” He inclined his head toward the twins, who didn’t move a muscle.
“Yeah, they know everything,” I said.
“Well, good. Now you’re off to California to tell the last of your Neph pals. Happy graduation. And happy birthday next week.”
California. The word blinked and shouted in my mind.
My heart rapid fired as he presented an itinerary sheet from his back pocket, smacking it into the palm of my hand. Do not smile. Do not react. I cur
led my fingers around the paper, dancing, leaping on the inside.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Patti turned off the water and stared at me, joy thinly veiled across her face. “You’re going to California?”
When I nodded she raced into the living room, hands still wet, and threw her arms around me. “Finally!”
“All right, all right,” Dad said. He tapped his temple and eyed me. “Head in the game, girl.”
I nodded, holding back nervous, happy laughter as Patti let me go and practically danced her way into the kitchen to finish up. My head was light with a buzzing sensation.
“Nice call on learning sign language, by the way,” Dad said, looking at the twins and me. “Don’t let any of the Dukes or spirits see you using it, though. Any signs between Neph have been put to a stop in the past. I’ve got the daughter of Sonellion and the son of Mammon learning, too,” he said to me.
“Awesome, thanks, Dad.”
“Yep. We’ve got our annual summit coming up next week in Vegas, Dukes only, so that’s when you’ll go to California. I’ve got to head out now, but I wanted to give you this in person.”
He tweaked my chin and I grabbed his hand. I never felt like I got enough time with him. And I wanted to ask him about a Neph being plagued with multiple temptations.
“Can I call you later today?” I asked.
“Yep.” Dad kissed my temple and hulked to the door, boots clanking. He turned back to the three of us one last time before leaving.
“Head in the game, girls,” he repeated. He sent Patti a wink and she shook her head. Then he was gone.
Marna and Ginger made no noise, but they slumped with relief at his absence. I plopped down on the couch with them. My heart hummed and throbbed at the thought of California.
Ginger glanced toward Patti in the kitchen, then whispered to me, “Your mum actually likes Kai?”
“Yeah. She loves him.”
This seemed to surprise Ginger. She stared at Patti with wonder in her eyes.
When I looked at Marna, she wore a pinched expression as she stared at the carpet. “What’s wrong?” I asked.
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